Extension control for a wall mounted toggle switch

ABSTRACT

An extension control for a wall-mounted toggle switch, consisting of only two parts which are a member made of wire with a loop at each end with one loop being disposed on the switch lever and the other loop forming a handle below the switch. The other of the two parts is a guide which confines the loop surrounding the switch, and the guide is releasably attached to the switch through the screw holding the usual switch face plate.

United States Patent [1 1 Hansen Oct. 28, 1975 EXTENSION CONTROL FOR AWALL MOUNTED TOGGLE SWITCH [76] Inventor: Clarence K. Hansen, 5906Sunset Blvd., Racine, Wis. 53406 221 Filed: Nov. 20, 1974 211 Appl. No.:525,342

[52] US. Cl. 200/331; 200/153 G; 200/338 [51] Int. Cl. I-IOIH 3/04 [58]Field of Search 174/53, 55, 56; 200/153 G,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,493,581 1/1950 Hood200/331 3,339,051 8/1967 De Vall 200/331 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS521,777 11/1939 United Kingdom 200/331 Primary ExaminerGerald P. TolinAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Arthur J. Hansmann [57] ABSTRACT An extensioncontrol for a wall-mounted toggle switch, consisting of only two partswhich are a member made of wire with a loop at each end with one loopbeing disposed on the switch lever and the other loop forming a handlebelow the switch. The other of the two parts is a guide which confinesthe loop surrounding the switch, and the guide is releasably attached tothe switch through the screw holding the usual, switch face plate.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 3,916,134

1 2 EXTENSION CONTROL FOR A WALL MOUNTED mounted on the switch, is ofonly a minimum detrac- TOGGLE SWITCH tion from the existing switch faceplate and surrounding This invention relates to an extension control fora wall mounted toggle switch, and, more particularly, it relates to acontrol which permits a child to have access to the wall mounted switch,by means of a control member hanging from the switch to be within thereach of the child.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Extension control for wall mounted switchesare already known in the prior art, and they have been disclosed invarious configurations. Generally speaking, the prior art switchesinclude a device for flipping the switch toggle, and with the devicehanging belowthe switch toggle so that a child can reach the device forthe switching action mentioned. Of course these extension devicesutilize some kind of guides or mountings which movably secure the guiderelative to the toggle switch for completing the assembly. Examples ofthese prior art devices are found in US Pat. Nos. 2,389,220 and3,004,128 and 3,121,778 and 3,339,051 and 2,724,032. Of these five saidpatents, the first two and the fourth one require slide type guideswhich have slots for either sliding relative to the switch or for atongue-and-groove type of guiding of another slideable member. The othertwo patents also require a constrained sliding relationship and theyrequire a device having at least several parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified andlightweight and inexpensive and easily installed extension control for awall switch, and, one which is generally an improvement upon thosealready known in the prior art, including those mentioned above. I

A more specific object of this invention is to provide an extensioncontrol for a wall switch wherein the control is made of only two piecesof material, one of which serves as a handle member and the other ofwhich serves as a guide for moving the handle in the actuation of theswitch. Still further, in accomplishing these objectives, the extensioncontrol of this invention is one which can be readily and easilyattached to the conventional and existing wall switch and which,specifically, is attached thereto by simply removing and then resecuringonly one of the conventional face plate screws of the wall switch. Stillfurther, in accomplishing this objective, the device of this inventionprovides an extension control which is attractive and which isunobtrusive and which does not interfere with the actuation of theswitch toggle lever even though the device is attached to the togglelever and is ready for use. That is, the device of this inventionprovides an extension for a wall switch, so that a child can actuate theswitch, but it also permits the actuation of the toggle switch by directcontact with the toggle switch and the pivotal movement thereof, withoutinterference from or requiring removal of the extension control of thisinvention. In accomplishing all of the aforementioned objectives, theextension control of this invention can be made of only two pieces ofmaterial to be completely provided, and neither piece has any movingparts therein, and each piece is of a rigid construction, and, further,the two pieces can be made of a length of bent wire. Therefore, theresulting extension control of this invention is safe to use, is readilymanufactured and wall, is easy to manipulate for actuation of theswitch. and is reliable in the actuation of the switch.

Other objects and advantages have become apparent upon reading thefollowing description in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofa conventional wall switch with the extension control of this inventionmounted thereon.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the showing in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the guide piece shown in .FIG. 1,but being on a slightly larger scale.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a fragment of one piece shown inFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The drawingsshow the extension control of this invention to consist of only twoparts, namely, the member generally designated 10, and the guidegenerally designated 11. Further, these two parts 10 and 11 are rigidpieces and do not have any joints or other pieces or parts attachedthereto, and they are shown to be made of a wire material which is bentto establish the configuration of each part 10 and 11.

A conventional wall mounted switch 12 is shown affixed to the walldesignated 13 which has its face or front surface 14 disposed in thevertical plane, as shown in FIG. 2. The conventional switch 12 has theusual electric connections and contact points disclosed within what isshown to be the switch box in FIG. 2,.and it also has the usual faceplate 16 which extends along the wall face 14 and which connects withthe switch through the screws 17 and 18, as shown in FIG. 2, and this isall of a conventional construction and arrangement such as that which isnormally found in the arrangement of a wall switch in present daybuildings. Of course the screws 17 and 18 are removable from the frontof the face plate 16, in the usual manner. The switch 12 also includesthe toggle lever 19 which is conventional and which moves up and down ina vertical plane for off and on actuation of the switch 12, in the usualarrangement. Also in the usual arrangement, the face plate 16 has theusual opening 21 through which the switch lever 19 projects, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, and thus the user can finger the lever 19 to pivot it upand down in the actuation of the switch, in the wellknown and usualmanner.

The extension control parts 10 and 11 are then applied to theconventional switch 12, and here it will be seen that the part 10 is anelongated piece having a central portion 22 and having an upper loopportion 23 and a lower loop handle portion 24. Thus it will be seen thatthe part 10 can be made of one length of wire which is bent to form theupper loop 23 and which extends through the portion 22 in a straightlength and then into the curved handle portion 24.

The loop 23 defines an opening 26, and the loop 23 and opening 26 areshown to be rectangular in shape. The loop 23 is draped over orsuspended on the switch lever 19, and the remainder of the part 10 hangsvertically and downwardly at least substantially parallel to the wall 14to its lower handle 24 which is thus within the reach of a small childwho can then actuate the switch 12 by sliding the part up and down alongthe wall 14. Therefore, the loop 23 has an upper portion 27 whichengages the switch lever upper surface 28, and it has a lower portion 29which engages the switch lever lower surface 31, both in the respectivedown and up movement of the switch lever 19. Therefore, the loop 23surrounds the switch lever 19, but it is not physically attachedthereto, though it does have close positioning on the switch lever 19,and, also, the side portions 32 and 33 of the loop 23 extend laterallyoutside of the side limits of the face plate opening 21 so that the loop23 is wider than the face plate opening 21 and thus overlaps the opening21 for assuring that the loop 23 cannot pass through the opening 21 andwill not jam relative to the opening 21.

The guide 11 serves to restrain the part 10 and assure that it remainson the switch lever 19. Thus the guide 11 is shown to be made of asingle piece of wire material which is forrned into substantially aU-shape, and it has two leg portions 34 and the center intermediate loopportion 36. The portion 36 is shown to be arcuate in shape, and itsnugly nests with the shank of the screw 18 such that the screw 18 canbe removed from its assembled position and the guide 1 1 can be placedon the face plate 16 and the screw 18 can then be replaced, and thus theassembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is accomplished.

Further, the guide 11 has its leg portions 34 spaced from the face plate16, and the leg portions 34 are spaced together closer than the spacingof the loop portions 32 and 33, and thus the loop 23 cannot be moved outof the confines of the guide 11, that would be forwardly of the guide 11or away from the wall 14. Still further, the leg portions 34 terminatein angulated feet portions 37 which extend into contact with the surfaceof the face plate 16, as seen in FIG. 2.

With the arrangement described, the guide 11 defines an opening 38between the leg portions 34 and the lower portion 36 and the feet 37,and the portion 22 of the part 10 extends through the opening 38, in theposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, the feet 37 are in the upperpath of movement of the loop 23, and thus they limit the movement of thepart 10 upwardly and the guide 11 has the lower portions 39 which arealso in the path of movement of the loop 23 when the latter is moveddownwardly, and thus the guide 11 also limits the downward movement ofthe part 10. However, in normal actuation of the switch lever 19 in itsup and down movement, the lever 19 itself will limit the up and downmovement of the part 10, and, with the guide 11 limiting movement of theloop 23 away from the face plate 16, the guide legs 34 assure that thepart 10 will remain on the lever 19 even with usual manipulation of thepart 10 by a child. That is, when the part 10 is moved upwardly from theposition shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and recognizing that the lever 19 isalready in its maximum upward position, the lower portion 29 of the loop23 will abut the lever undersurface 31, in the manner confined by theguide legs 34, and thus the lever 19 will limit and determine the uppermovement of the part 10, and the loop portion 27 will not engage theguide feet 37. Conversely, when the part 10 is pulled downwardly topivot the switch lever 19 to its downward position, then the lever 19limits the downward movement of the part 10 through the engagement ofthe loop portion 27 with the lever upper surface 28,

and therefore the loop portion 29 will not engage the guide portions 39,in the normal use of the extension control of this invention.

Therefore, there is only a two-part control, namely, the parts 10 and l1, and they are both of rigid construction as shown and described.Additionally, where the parts are made of the wire material shown, theyoccupy only a minimum of area and do not conceal the decor of the faceplate 16 and the wall 14, and they are of only minimum weight andmaterial. Still further, the guide 1 1 is easily mounted on the switch12 through the use of only one of the face plate screws, as shown, andthe guide is available for limiting movement of the part 10 off thetoggle lever 19, and it is also available for limiting both upward anddownward movement of the part 10, by means of the guide portions 37 and39, respectively, depending upon the height of the loop 23 and dependingupon the degree of pivotal movement of the switch lever 19 and alsodepending upon any unusual manipulation of the part 10. The loop 23 ofthe part 10 is therefore disposed to one side of the guide 11, and theportion 22 of the part 10 extends to the other side of the guide 11 asit passes through the opening 38. Also, the guide 11 has the arcuateportion 36 as an attachment portion which is disposed, along with thehead of the screw 18, to provide a rest or abutment for the portion 22passing thereby. Further, it will be seen that the handle portion 24 isangulated, as shown in FIG. 2, and therefore it is spaced further fromthe wall 14 for convenience of fingering by the user. Thus, the guideopening 38 extends through the guide portion 39 and therefore it extendsin the vertical plane of the loop 23 and therefore the part 10 can besuspended in the substantially vertical position shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show at least some of the parts 10 and 11 as they aredisposed in FIG. 1, and it will be seen that the guide 11 has its arcuicor attachment portion 36 in the form of a circle or loop, and the guide11 can be formed of one piece of material, just as the part 10 isformed, but the guide 11 is simply arranged to provide an openingsurrounding the switch lever 19, namely the opening 38 as seen in FIG.1, and the lever 19 projects through the opening 38 and beyond the guide11 to be available for direct fingering by a user who might not want touse the part 10 in the actuation of the switch. Further, the guide 11can be arranged so that it provides the opening 38 and limits thesidewise and up and down movement of the part 10, as well as movement ofthe part 10 away from the face plate 16 and off the lever 19.

What is claimed is:

1. In an extension control for a wall-mounted toggle switch of the typehaving a face plate extending along the wall and having an up and downpivotal switch lever extending through said face plate, the improvementcomprising a control consisting of only two parts which are: anelongated member of one rigid piece of material and having an openingtherein at one end thereof through which said switch lever extends, saidmember including a handle spaced from said opening and located at theother end of said member and disposed below the elevation of said switchlever, said member having vertically spaced apart portions respectivelydefining the upper and lower edges of said opening for respectiveabutment of said lever from above and below said lever, said memberbeing rigid for up and down movement of said portions in the up and downmovement of said handle for the consequent pivotal action of said leverin the actuation of said switch, and a single guide disposed adjacentsaid member portions and having vertically spaced apart surfacesdisposed in the up and down path of movement of said member portions forengaging and thereby limiting up and down movement of said member. saidsurfaces acting as stop means for said member portions, said guidehaving an opening through which said switch lever extends, and saidmember portions being confined on one side of said guide and with saidhandle being disposed on the other side of said guide, and said guidehaving an attachment portion releasably attached to said face plate.

2. The extension control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memberconsists of a single length of wire with a loop at each of its oppositeends to respectively embody said handle portion and said spaced apartportions.

3. The extension control as claimed in claim 2, wherein said face plateis attached to said wall by a screw, and wherein said guide consists ofa single length of wire in a U-shape, and with the intermediate portionof said U-shape having a loop receiving said screw to thereby effect thereleasable attachemnt of said guide to said face plate.

4. The extension control as claimed in claim 2, wherein said face plateis attached to said wall by a screw, and wherein said guide has a screwopening receiving said screw to thereby effect the releasable attachmentof said guide to said face plate.

5. The extension control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said material ofsaid member is wire with a loop in one end thereof for defining saidopening and completely surrounding said lever and to suspend said memberfrom said lever, and said guide opening being narrower than the width ofsaid loop for securing said loop on said lever.

6. The extension control as claimed in claim 5, wherein said guideopening extends in the vertical plane directly beneath said loop, forvertical suspension of said wire member from said lever and through saidopening.

7. The extension control as claimed in claim 5, wherein said membercompletely consists of only one piece of said wire, and said guidecompletely consists of only one piece of material, to thereby completelyprovide the said two parts from only the said two pieces.

8. The extension as claimed in claim 7, wherein said guide material is apiece of wire also, shaped into a U- shape having two leg portionsoverlying said member loop for securing said loop on said lever.

i i i l

1. In an extension control for a wall-mounted toggle switch of the typehaving a face plate extending along the wall and having an up and downpivotal switch lever extending through said face plate, the improvementcomprising a control consisting of only two parts which are: anelongated member of one rigid piece of material and having an openingtherein at one end thereof through which said switch lever extends, saidmember including a handle spaced from said opening and located at theother end of said member and disposed below the elevation of said switchlever, said member having vertically spaced apart portions respectivelydefining the upper and lower edges of said opening for respectiveabutment of said lever from above and below said lever, said memberbeing rigid for up and down movement of said portions in the up and downmovement of said handle for the consequent pivotal action of said leverin the actuation of said switch, and a single guide disposed adjacentsaid member portions and having vertically spaced apart surfacesdisposed in the up and down path of movement of said member portions forengaging and thereby limiting up and down movement of said member, saidsurfaces acting as stop means for said member portions, said guidehaving an opening through which said switch lever extends, and saidmember portions being confined on one side of said guide and with saidhandle being disposed on the other side of said guide, and said guidehaving an attachment portion releasably attached to said face plate. 2.The extension control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memberconsists of a single length of wire with a loop at each of its oppositeends to respectively embody said handle portion and said spaced apartportions.
 3. The extension control as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidface plate is attached to said wall by a screw, and wherein said guideconsists of a single length of wire in a U-shape, and with theintermediate portion of said U-shape having a loop receiving said screwto thereby effect the releasable attachment of said guide to said faceplate.
 4. The extension control as claimed in claim 2, wherein said faceplate is attached to said wall by a screw, and wherein said guide has ascrew opening receiving said screw to thereby effect the releasableattachment of said guide to said face plate.
 5. The extension control asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said material of said member is wire with aloop in one end thereof for defining said opening and completelysurrounding said lever and to suspend said member from said lever, andsaid guide opening being narrower than the width of said loop forsecuring said loop on said lever.
 6. The extension control as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said guide opening extends in the vertical planedirectly beneath said loop, for vertical suspension of said wire memberfrom said lever and through said opening.
 7. The extension control asclaimed in claim 5, wherein said member completely consists of only onepiece of said wire, and said guide completely consists of only one pieceof material, to thereby completely provide the said two parts from onlythe said two pieces.
 8. The extension control as claimed in claim 7,wherein said guide material is a piece of wire also, shaped into aU-shape having two leg portions overlying said member loop for securingsaid loop on said lever.